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American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association

July 10, 2020 AHEPA Strongly Condemns Turkish President's Conversion of Hagia Sophia into a Mosque Supreme President George G. Horiates has issued the following statement: AHEPA condemns in strongest terms the action taken today by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who formally changed the status of Hagia Sophia to a mosque following a Turkish court's decision that paved the way for him to do so.   It is unfortunate and a disappointment that Hagia Sophia has fallen victim to Turkey's domestic politics. Today's action also is an indictment of Turkey's judicial system following Erdogan’s purges and the diminished role and influence of Turkey's secular community in Turkish society under the tyranny of the Erdogan regime.    We appreciate the swift response from UNESCO. We call on the international community to hold Turkey accountable to the international bodies and conventions to which it is a signatory that stipulate Turkey's responsibilities to preserve its rich cultural and religious heritage. Hagia Sophia is the fifth instance of a former Byzantine church named "Hagia Sophia" to have been converted to a mosque during the past decade in Turkey, according to The Economist. Hagia Sophia is a gift to all humankind. Its value is universal and it must be preserved as such. # # #

American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association July 14, 2020 In Wake of Hagia Sophia’s Status Change, A Need for Action. Let’s Start with a Boycott The American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association (Order of AHEPA) releases a commentary piece authored by Supreme President George G. Horiates titled, "In Wake of Hagia Sophia’s Status Change, A Need for Action. Let’s Start with a Boycott." "The eradication of Turkey’s religious and cultural heritage, especially Christian and Hellenic, is alarming, disgusting, and has escalated with the demise of secular Turkish society and consolidation of Erdogan’s power," Supreme President Horiates writes. "Hagia Sophia is the latest victim of his tyranny. It is hurtful to see one of the greatest monuments of Christian heritage used as a political ploy in what can only be described as a banana republic-style decision to convert Hagia Sophia to a mosque." Supreme President Horiates' commentary calls for a boycott of Turkish products and provides examples of Turkey's top imports to the United States, including hand-woven rugs and agricultural and animal products. He also renews the call to press the U.S. Senate to pass legislation that would impose sanctions on Turkey and reminds that the U.S. House of Representatives has passed similar legislation. Further, Horiates notes the Trump Administration is able to impose sanctions under current law, the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA).  "AHEPA will explore opportunities to rally the community, and bring all peoples together, at venues and sites to raise awareness to key audiences that Erdogan’s action is unacceptable to a variety of communities, organizations, and sectors, and it cannot be allowed to stand," he concludes, adding, "AHEPA is committed to defending Hellenism and to exploring all avenues for legal recourses to address Erdogan’s decision to covert Hagia Sophia into a mosque." # # # READ SUPREME PRESIDENT HORIATES' COMMENTARY